I first took Geodon. As I have been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder which was originally thought to be schizophrenia, I experience psychosis all the time regardless of my mood so I take antipsychotics for the psychotic aspect of my illness. Geodon worked better for my positive (hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, etc.) symptoms and not so great for my negative (loss of pleasure, lack of affect, lack of motivation, etc.) symptoms. Abilify works better for my negative symptoms.
And I took Abilify in the past. Abilify is the antipsychotic least likely to cause weight gain but it can happen. Fish oil is good but better is the anti-cholesterol medication Lovaza derived from it which is used experimentally for bipolar. As per weight loss, I'd go on a standard diet or if its of concern go to a nutrionist. Its probably from the Abilify and usually not a problem but you would still have to keep within a normal weight limit in a healthy manner.
Hi all,
I am severely depressed & have been taking Prozac for a month now & my doc suggested Abilify to add. I had already put on 30lbs from lexapro, which is part of becoming depressed again. I have been on the Abilify for 6days now & can tell it is having a positive impact on me. I have had enough motivation to work out the past two days & I am really watching what I'm eating. Has anyone here had success with losing weight on Abilify & prozac?
I am on seroquel and abilify, and so far they havent caused any weight gain for me, or weight loss! I was on geodon at one point to, but that was a nightmare! You will have to sit back, and see what happens. If you really dont want the weight gain, then exercising should definitely help! I cant say for sure either, what the result will be!
I decided to take the advice, stopped the Lamictal and continued to just taper off the Abilify. Btw, the main reason for stopping it wasn’t the weight. Cholesterol doubled, became pre-diabetic with flat affect. Now it’s been 2 months completely off Abilify. Depression and mood swings unbearable. Started back on Lamictal. At 75mg, doc wants 100mg. Also added Wellbutrin XL150 and still on Zoloft 100mg. Helps a bit, but depression and anxiety continue. Mood swings better.
When I looked up weight gain and bipolar medications, Abilify was at the bottom of the list for weight gain, Geodon people gained the least then Abilify. I'm on 2mg. of Abilify and in the begining you tend to feel sleepy, that's why they start you on it at bedtime. I would be surprised if Abilify caused a racing heart but you definately have to tell your doc about that. I was also on Wellbutrin and had to come off because it caused to much anxiety.
I was supposed to start on 10 mg of Abilify, but my doctor decided to start me at 5 mg at night with the Cymbalta and Valium. I haven't noticed any changes except for extreme tiredness. I can't seem to get enough sleep. I know that the Abilify causes you to be sleepy, but most of the medications do that until they get in your system. I'm sure my doctor will increase the Abilify in the next two weeks.
I have been taking prozac for 6 days andi feel kindamore anxious and in a fog,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,also a member told me on her prozac reacts with the abilify i have been on so now im scared to take them both...........
Well that's very great news. Some of us are on medications that don't cause weight gain and it is much better. But some of us still are and the medications still work and don't cause other problems. For myself, the mood stabilizer I take Clonidine causes weight gain. I bought some chocolates today and I had already eaten dessert. I was going to snack on them anyway but I told myself not to or the weight gain would start so I didn't.
You are on a lot of meds. I was like that yrs. ago; way overmedicated and way overweight. I'm now down to 2 antidepressants and 1 mood stabilizer. (I am also a rapid cycler). Everybody is different and responds to medication differently. The best and most all-around useful mood stabilizer for me has been Topamax. It is an anti-convulsant, also indicated for propylaxis of migraines (which I also have). The great side effect, if you're overweight, is WEIGHT LOSS. Be careful, though.
Yes I did take some mood stabilizers in the past that caused weight loss (what that term means, the term anoxeria nervosa is what is used to describe the psychiatric disability people might be more familiar with). Some medications have that potential more than others but each person responds differently to each medication. If you have had any unexplained weight loss after starting a specific medication or at any time it would be essential to discuss this with your psychiatrist.
am taking abilify 8 years and suffer fom random memory loss, also have experienced uncontrollable shivering . Have major problems with the psychiatrist as they simply state no other patient has experienced those symptoms. The memory loss is fustrating/social embaressing but the 'shivering' is actually very scarey. Also keep waking up at night...4 or 5 am .Am seeking info/contact with other persons who may experience the same. Am 48 years old female.
Need input on coming off depakote. Currently taking 750 mg x 3 daily. I USED to have seizures due to a stroke, but I have been seizure free for a year. I am on 30 mg of abilify & 200 mg of lamictal. I want to come off the depakote due to weight gain & memory loss/confusion. My Neurologist has given her approval, but I do not want a manic episode at all. Can you help?
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